Editorial: Judge Choctaw chief by accomplishments

Tuesday, March 27, 2007  

"Just as incumbent Republican Gov. Haley Barbour has his detractors in an election year, so does incumbent Choctaw Chief Phillip Martin. Despite unprecedented economic growth and development, Martin faces political challengers and policy critics as he seeks re-election to an eighth term as the leader of the Choctaw tribe.

There are legitimate points of contention. The tribe's relationship with corrupt Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the expenditure of $10.4 million on lobbying and $1.3 million in political contributions during the tribe's time as a client of the infamous lobbyist raises such questions.

But neither Martin nor the tribe was implicated in any wrongdoing. Beyond the Abramoff affair, most of the criticism aimed at Martin centers on traditional political differences - how the political pie is divided on the reservation and the size of the slices received by various factions.

Martin's critics will have their say during the coming election. But Martin's legacy can only fairly be judged by how far Mississippi Choctaws have come from poverty and marginalization over the 32 years under Martin's leadership - a distance measured in steady progress."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Choctaws: Tribal politics not unlike others (The Jackson Clarion-Ledger 3/27)

Relevant Links:
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.choctaw.org

Related Stories:
Choctaw chief faces questions over Abramoff scandal (3/26)
Mississippi Choctaw Chief Martin seeks 8th term (01/31)
Abramoff lobbied White House on behalf of tribes (10/02)
Mississippi Choctaw funds helped Alabama governor (08/15)
Editorial: Investigate Choctaws and $13M in Alabama (07/03)
Mississippi Choctaws deny $13M spent in Alabama (6/30)
Abramoff boasted of Choctaw's $13M in Alabama (6/28)
Choctaws used Ralph Reed to fight gaming efforts (6/26)
Abramoff won't lead to reforms from McCain's committee (6/23)
Ralph Reed paid more than $5M by Abramoff tribes (06/23)
DeLay's trip with Abramoff tied to Choctaw donation (06/09)
Wives of DeLay, Doolittle part of Abramoff probe (6/7)
Ex-DeLay aide admits to fleecing wealthy tribes (4/3)
Ex-DeLay aide charged with corruption conspiracy (3/31)
Choctaws were first to donate to 'Family' group (03/27)
Ralph Reed knew money came from Abramoff client (03/06)
The World: Ralph Reed took Jack Abramoff's money (02/24)
Ralph Reed losing support in wake of Abramoff (01/26)
Opinion: Native lobbyists must change ways too (01/26)
McCain blames both parties for 'out of control' lobbying (01/23)
Abramoff not in NIGA's camp but lobbyist came close (01/19)
DeLay pressed officials after taking Abramoff money (01/11)
Column: New name for DeLay - Dances with Dollars (01/10)
Texas prosecutor subpoenas Choctaws, Barona Band (01/06)
Mississippi Choctaws gave $250K to 'Family' group (01/04)
Bush seeks to link Jack Abramoff to Democrats (12/15)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments in Abramoff case (12/05)
Abramoff probe looking into Congress, Bush (11/25)
Abramoff used charity to raise money for DeLay (11/04)
Mississippi Choctaws gave to DeLay's party fund (10/18)
Were Choctaws behind $500K donation to RNC? (10/03)
Choctaws were Abramoff's first tribal client (08/22)
Opinion: Mississippi Choctaws not the victims (07/28)
Editorial: Mississippi Choctaws victims of own greed (07/11)
Choctaws billed for meals at Abramoff restaurant (7/6)
Choctaws mum on donation to Christian Coalition (7/6)
Choctaw cash flowed freely to Ralph Reed for years (7/6)
McCain bashes Norquist for ripping off tribes (7/6)
Opinion: Tribes share blame for Abramoff scandal (7/4)
Time: Abramoff gave free dinners to Congressmen (7/4)
Lobbying Report: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (6/27)
Choctaws hire three ex-Abramoff lobbyists (6/27)
Senate committee plans to issue lobbying report (6/24)
Under scrutiny, Choctaw tribe goes into hiding (6/24)
Choctaws hire lobbyist accused in Abramoff fraud (6/24)
Editorial: Reed lied about taking money from Choctaws (6/24)
Opinion: Reed didn't lie, he just followed the law (6/24)
Ralph Reed pressed by rival to document tribal ties (6/24)
Column: Jack Abramoff's Choctaw Nation (6/24)
Column: No limits to Republican sleaze in Washington (6/24)
Editorial: Washington in worst lobbying scandal ever (6/24)
Update on Senate hearing into lobbying scandal (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws focus of Senate lobbying hearing (6/23)
Mississippi Choctaws at center of lobbying hearing (6/22)
NIGA issues statement on tribal lobbying scandal (6/22)
Coushatta Tribe gave millions to lobbyists, campaigns (6/22)
Influence peddling on the rise in Washington (6/22)
Another hearing on Abramoff lobbying scandal (06/21)
Reed's story on Tiguas doesn't match Abramoff's (06/20)
Opinion sought on GOP group's use of tribal funds (06/16)
Other tribes attended White House meeting with Bush (06/08)
Two tribes paid $50K to attend White House meeting (06/07)
Miss Choctaws say gaming cash not used to lobby (05/31)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Former DeLay chief of staff lobbied for NIGA (04/26)
FEC ruling separates tribes from their businesses (03/14)
Tribe, gambling firm funded DeLay's overseas trip (3/14)
Mississippi Choctaw lawyer referred Abramoff (11/22)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Choctaw Tribe's lobbying documents kept secret (10/4)
Ex-tribal lobbyists slammed in Senate hearing (9/30)
Busy Indian Affairs Committee hits snag on big issues (06/17)
Indian Affairs Committee activity this week (6/15)
Choctaw chief Martin defends embattled GOP lobbyist (04/09)
McCain pushing Choctaw tribe to cooperate with probe (4/8)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)